My Orthopedic Surgery

The term Tillaux fracture is an eponym describing a fracture of the anterolateral tibial epiphysis that is commonly seen in adolescents. The fragment is avulsed due to the strong anterior tibiofibular ligament in an external rotation injury of the foot in relation to the leg. This injury is rarely seen in adults, as the ligament gives way instead of avulsing the tibial fragment from its epiphyseal attachment. This ligament injury is known as a Tillaux lesion.
Synonyms and related keywords: Kleiger fracture, Kleiger's fracture, Tillaux' fracture, anterolateral tibial epiphysis fracture, Tillaux lesion, ankle injury, ankle lesion, distal tibia fracture, fracture of Tillaux-Chaput, Tillaux-Chaput fracture, Tillaux-Chaput lesion, distal tibial physis fracture, Salter-Harris type III epiphyseal injury
Author: Satishchandra Kale, MD 2005

Salter Harris III fracture involving avulsion of anterolateral tibial epiphysis;
- occurs in older adolescents, after the middle and medial parts of epiphyseal plate has closed, but before the lateral part closes (usually 12 to 15 yrs of age);
- because, this fracture occurs in adolescents witj relatively mature growth plates, there is minimal potential for deformity due to growth plate injury
- note that the common triplane fracture will contain a tillaux fracture in addition to the tibial physeal fracture
Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics